Not every hunting spot has room for a tractor or a big open field. Tecomate Shake & Rake no-till food plot seed is made for deep woods attraction, letting you grow a small plot in shaded woodland areas right near your tree stand with minimal, low-tech tillage. If you bow hunt or hunt tight cover, this is a seed worth knowing.
What is Shake & Rake?
Shake & Rake is a blend of premium brassicas, hardy clovers and high-sugar grasses. Tecomate says it will aggressively germinate and grow anywhere and in any condition while withstanding early grazing pressure. The idea is simple: rough up the ground, shake out the seed, rake it in and watch it grow.
Key features of this no-till food plot seed
- Quick germination and fast growth anywhere
- Grows well in shaded areas
- Draws deer close in tight cover
- No-till food plot with minimal tillage
- Withstands heavy grazing pressure
- Contents: high-sugar grasses, brassicas, clover seed
- Size: 4 lb Standard Series
Who Shake & Rake is for
Tecomate calls it the choice of serious bow hunters, and it is a natural fit for:
- Bow hunters who want deer to stop within a short shot of the stand.
- Hunters on leases or small tracts where heavy equipment is not practical.
- Logging roads, small openings, and shaded corners near bedding cover.
- Anyone who wants a secondary "kill plot" between a bigger feeding field and the bedding area.
How to plant a deep woods food plot
Planting time: all zones, fall only.
Seeding rate: 4 lbs. plants 5,000 sq. ft., about the size of a basketball court.
Planting depth: 1/8 inch.
Tecomate sums up the method as "rough it up, shake it out, rake it in." In practice:
- Pick the spot. Look for a small opening that gets at least some sunlight, within easy bow range of a stand you can hunt with the wind in your favor.
- Rough it up. Clear leaves and debris down to bare dirt. A hand rake works for very small spots; for a larger trail or opening, a tow-behind Impact Implements 62" landscape rake behind an ATV or UTV speeds up the job.
- Shake it out. Broadcast the seed evenly over the bare soil.
- Rake it in. Lightly rake to cover. At a 1/8 inch depth, the seed only needs a light covering. Rolling the spot with a cultipacker where you can get one in helps firm the soil.
Since one 4 lb bag covers roughly a basketball court, grab a bag of Shake & Rake for each stand location you want to set up.
Tips for small woodland plots
- Time planting before a rain so the seed gets moisture quickly.
- Even shade-tolerant plants do better with some sun; opening the canopy a little where you are allowed to can help.
- Keep your entry and exit routes quiet, since these plots are often very close to bedding cover.
Shake & Rake is part of our fall food plot seed mix collection. Browse all food plot seed for larger field options.
Frequently asked questions
How much area does a bag of Shake & Rake cover?
A 4 lb bag plants 5,000 sq. ft., about the size of a basketball court.
Does Shake & Rake grow in the shade?
Yes. Tecomate lists "grows well in shaded areas" as a key feature, and it is designed for small, shaded woodland plots.
Do I need to till for this no-till food plot seed?
No heavy tillage is needed. Rough up the ground to bare soil, broadcast the seed, and rake it in to a depth of about 1/8 inch.
Bring deer into bow range this fall: shop Tecomate Shake & Rake no-till food plot seed. More food plot articles are on our blog. Questions? Contact us.